Recent reviews
112 reviewsWe really enjoyed the entire time we spent at this historical site near the Kinneret. The gentle walk to both the ancient synagoge and spring was well thought out. There were attractive visible historical markers and a very good film before the walk. I highly recommend this park for groups and individuals , adilts and children. I only wish that I had taken a photo of the tent which was covering an active archaelogical dig in which there were many beautiful and recent findings just sitting there for us to see.
Great if you're a bird-watcher - check before you go to make sure it's the right season for bird migrations. It's quite a big area so you have to either rent a golf cart or bicycles, or be prepared for a very long walk. We also rented binoculars with our tickets, which was definitely worthwhile (or bring your own).
At first glance it doesn't seem so impressive, but that's because most of what there is to see is inside the vast tombs. It's worth coming here with a good guide. A good option if there's a chance of rain.
We went in cooler weather, so stayed on the dry paths, but there is also an amazing-looking water trail that goes through the ancient channels that we will have to go back for during warmer weather. Really fun place to visit.
Beautiful and peaceful site with an impressive church and monastery. When we were there, it was full of nuns and other Christian clergy, not sure if they live and work there or were visiting. We went with small children so just parked at the top and did a short walk through the forest before exploring the church and viewpoints. I think there is a more strenuous hiking trail from the bottom of the hill if you want to put a bit more effort into it. It's a gorgeous green area with lovely views.
היה לי קר, להביא מעיל!
פארק יפה
One of the most magical hikes I can recall - passes through a forest of twisted red tree trunks, through cliffs, over a series of rock pools (where we saw thousands of tadpools) and up to a romantic ruined crusader castle jutting out of the forest at the top of a dramatic mountain peak.
היינו בחמת גדר באמצע דצמבר. המים חמים כמובן ונעימים, יש מפלים נעימים בתוך הבריכה ומקומות ישיבה במים. עם זאת, המקום עצמו כאילו נשאר בשנות ה 80.
מאד לא מטופח, השילוט בחלקו קרוע , יש הרבה שלוליות קטנות מסביב לבריכה. אם תרצו להתרחק קצת מהרעש - אין כל כך לאן. יש שטח עם דשא סינטתי ודי רועש, וקשה למצוא פינה שקטה לשבת בה. יש אזור מגודר וחסום של עתיקות, היה נחמד אם זה היה מטופח ופתוח ואפשר היה להיכנס לטייל שם.
One of the best places in all of Israel. Can't wait to go back!
We went with our kids after a weekend in Nazareth, it was a great surprise to find such a lovely park complex. Multiple playgrounds for different ages, cute Alice in Wonderland type area with paths and hedges, a musical garden, zoo, planetarium, amphitheater, and view. There are also food trucks with some hot items, snacks, and drinks. We didn't get a chance to see everything there, but spent a really pleasant couple of hours.
Masada never gets old. There's a reason it's a top tourist attraction in Israel, but don't let that put you off if you're looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience. The runner's trail, for example, is so much more interesting than the snake path! And at the far side of the plateau there's a cool spot where you can hear your voice echo back from the cliffs in front of you.
Good facilities at the bottom (including a couple food options), you'll find water and bathrooms but no food for purchase at the top. Cable car is worth if if you're with kids/grandparents or if it's too hot. If you're staying overnight, the Masada Youth Hostel is quite good as well (though I slightly prefer the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel 20 minutes up the road).
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One of our absolute favorite parks in the national park system!
There are two separate sections, one with a beautiful 45-minute easy walk including a section on a hanging wooden walkway along the Hermon stream, leading to the Banias waterfall. The other section has impressive ancient ruins featuring a cave and shrine to the Greek god Pan, along with a trail past an ancient and modern flour mill and Roman bridge, along the calmer section of the Hermon stream.
You can walk between the two sites if the weather isn't too hot, otherwise better to drive the few minutes between them. There's good parking at both sites.
A lot of bang for your buck in terms of view vs. effort. It was very windy up on the hilltop, but the view was really impressive. This is an important site in Christianity, but also just a really nice short (about 500m) walk with a fabulous view of the Galilee.
One minus for me was the amount of trash on the side of the road on the drive up to the parking lot, but the trail itself was relatively clean.
There are bathrooms and a small food stand near the parking lot.
One of our go-to favorites. Not a massive site, 2 hours is a good amount of time to explore, plus extra time for a picnic lunch (there are shaded tables near the entrance and above the main path inside the park).
Crusader-era (and older?) ruins on a cliff above the Mediterranean, it feels like a mini Caesaria. Very easily accessible from the Tel Aviv area (around 20 minutes north). Well paved paths good for strollers. Our kids love to start by going down into the moat. There are a couple of nice side paths (not stroller-friendly) as well that give a slightly more wild feeling. Incredible views up and down the coastline.
Not the most dramatic of the national parks, but nice for an easy 1-2 hours with young kids or grandparents. The highlight is the long floating wooden walkway built above the wetlands, a bit reminiscent of the Hula valley. There's also a crusader-era flour mill which you can go inside or climb to the roof for a view over the site.
We did spot some nice wildlife, including water buffalo (it was a hot day and they were all in a group in the water cooling off) and lots of birds (I think cormorants and black kites). Also of course many catfish, and even a turtle!
It was a bit hot (though they had nice shaded benches throughout) and crowded due to Sukkot holiday, but otherwise a pleasant time.
